Container

ABSTRACT

A plastic cotainer of the type adapted to accept a screw cap closure member having threading is provided in which an annular groove is placed on the rim of the mouth of the container. A removable cover having a circular ring which fits securely into the groove is also provided to form an airtight seal. Threads corresponding to those on the container are provided on the cover or on a separate cap for positioning the cover with respect to the mouth of the container to therefore effect closure.

O Unlted States Patent 1191 1111 3,833,141

Leitz 1 Sept. 3, 1974 CONTAINER 3,747,792 7/1973 Anthony 215 40 [75] Inventor: 33:11:: Leitz, Bad Krozmgen, Primary Examiner-George T- Hall y Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Bierman & Bierman [73] Assignee: Van Leer Verpackungen GmbH 22 Filed: Aug. 23, 1972 5: i E d d I p ast1c cotainer 0 t e type a apte to accept a [21] Appl' screw cap closure memberhaving threading is provided in which an annular groove is placed on the rim [52] 0.5. CI. ..2l 5/344, 2l5/DIG. 1 0f the mouth Of the container- A removable cover [511 1111.01 865d 23/60, 13651153/00 having a circular g which fits securely into the [581 Field of Search 215/40, 43, DIG. 1 groove is also Provided to form an airtight Seal- Threads corresponding to those on the container are [56] Referen Cit d provided on the cover or on a separate cap for posi- UNITED STATES PATENTS tioning the cover with respect to the mouth of the 2,818,204 12 1957 Henchert et al. 215 010. 1 comamer to therefore effect closure 3,428,208 2/1969 Kosar 2l5/DIG. 1 5 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures CONTAINER This invention relates to containers of plastic material and more particularly to a means for covering and sealing plastic containers. The problem of securely sealing such containers and, above all, achieving this result by an economically feasible arrangement with simply manufactured parts, has thus far not been solved satisfactorily.

One of the methods used to overcome this difficulty has been the insertion of a soft seal into the opening of the container. However, this requires the manufacture of an additional part, as well as the insertion of sealing means into the cover part, i.e., in general, threads into a screw cap. This requires additional expense and in general, the necessary security is not achieved.

In accordance with the invention, an absolutely secure closure, which in addition can be manufactured very simply and economically, is achieved by a circular groove conically tapered in depth which is embedded around the mouth of the container. Additionally, a protruding wedge-shaped ring positioned to securely fit into this groove is provided on the inside of the cover. This arrangement is utilized in conjunction with the usual type of screw on threads to removably secure the cover to the container.

The shaping of the mouth of the container according to the invention results in a tight seal, which can be renewed at any time even after use of the container and-- [or after partial emptying, by re-applying the cover. By virtue of the engagement of the ring into the groove at the mouth of the container and the shape of the walls of the ring and the groove, an airtight seal is achieved.

According to the invention, it is advantageous that the depth of the groove be at least equal to the width of one groove and preferably larger. The walls of the two sealing elements are steep and tapers, as well as being substantially parallel to the axis of the container, such that when the cover is placed on the mouth of the container, a tight seal is formed. In this manner, excellent sealing is achieved.

A further very important advantage of the subject of the invention is that the groove arranged in the mouth of the container cannot be damaged during the manufacturing process or during transport. As a result, a secure seal is always assured because the ring is also protected from damage because of its location on the inside of the cover of the container. No additional parts need be manufactured and manufacture according to the injection molding process is very simple. Also, there are no seams at the form-separating points along the portion of the device which effects sealing and therefore no damage or deformation of the sealing elements can occur.

Moreover, another advantage of the present invention is that any dripping of liquid content over the thread is avoided by the groove in the mouth of the container. If desired, the sides of the groove could be shaped in different heights, depending upon the type of liquid to be poured, and whether it is more suitable to pour over the inside or the outside edge of the mouth of the container. One would then have available, in each instance, a particularly large sealing area along one side of the groove.

It is also possible to arrange the wedge-shaped ring on an insert to fit cork-like into the mouth of the container. A separate cap can be provided if desired, to

overlap the cover and secure it to the mouth of the container. In addition, the cover is provided with an opening for allowing the liquid to be removed from the container. This insert could remain in the mouth during liquid removal due to this opening when such is desired, e.g., in dropping bottles and the like.

The invention is applicable to covers of various types and made of various materials. Foremost among these are plastic covers; however, metal covers could also be manufactured in a similar manner, having a corresponding ring element. In addition to screw-type covers, the invention can also be applied to crown cork or snap closures, which utilize a snap edge instead of threading for pressure closure on the orifice. The containers themselves may be of inexpensive plastic materials, in particular, polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamides, polyester and the like, which have been proven particularly acceptable.

Now, turning to the drawings depicting a preferred embodiment of the present invention and wherein like numerals refer to like parts.

FIG. 1 shows a sectional view of the mouth of a con tainer with a cover.

FIG. 2 is a sectional cutaway view of part of the mouth of the container according to FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a sectional cutaway view of 'part of the mouth of another container, wherein the outside wall of the groove is lower than the inside wall.

FIG. 4 is a sectional cutaway view of part of the mouth of still another container wherein the outside wall is higher than the inside wall.

FIG. 5 shows a sectional view of the mouth of a container and a cover in the form of an insert.

A mouth of a contaner 1 is connected to a screw cap or cover 2 by way of cooperating screw threads. On the inside of this cover, is a wedge-shaped ring 3 which engages a circular conical annular groove 4 provided on the mouth of the container 1 (FIG. 2).

As seen in FIG. 2, the width of the annular groove is preferably equal to or smaller than its depth. This configuration assures the steepness of the sides of the groove, which is important for sealing effect. Additionally, the walls of both the ring and groove are tapered to further facilitate tight fitting and, therefore, to yield a more secure seal.

In FIG. 3, the outer side 5 of the groove 4 is lower than that of side 6. Poruing of a liquid content is then effected over the inner edge of the mouth of the container. In FIG. 4, the outer side 7 is higher than the inner side 8 of groove 4, so that pouring is effected over the outer edge of the mouth of the container. Depending on the characteristics of the liquid to be poured, it is possible to select the most favorable configuration so that dripping, especially over the thread, can be avoided. a

As seen in FIG. 5, the cover in the form of an insert 9 has a ring 10, which, in the same manner as ring 3 of cover 2 in FIG. 1, engages the groove 4 of the mouth of the container 1. The insert 9 further has a cylindrical part 11 which snugly fits within the inside wall of the mouth of the container in cork-like fashion to secure the insert to the container. Discharge can be effected through an opening 12 provided in the top of insert 9. Over the insert, a seal cap 13 is screwed on. This cap corresponds to screw cap 2 of FIG. I (but without ring 3) and is also used to assure complete closure. Upon removal of this seal cap, the insert 9 remains in the mouth of the container. The contents can then be removed through the opening 12 in the insert.

It is to be understood that variations and modifications may be made, which are not specifically described herein, but which will be obvious to those skilled in the art. It is intended to cover all such modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

l. A plastic container comprising:

a mouth, 1

an annular groove on the top of said mouth,

the depth of said groove being at least as large as its width and having tapering side walls,

a cover havinga circular ring protruding therefrom, said ring having tapered sides so that the ring fits snugly within substantially the entire depth of the groove to form a seal between said cover and said container.

2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the walls of said groove have different heights.

3. The container according to claim 1, further comprising means for removably securing said cover to said container.

4. The container according to claim 3, wherein said cover is in the form of an insert which tits into said mouth in cork-like fashion and said means for; remov ably securing said cover comprises a. cap adapted to fit over said cover, said cap and said container having cooperating screw threads for securelyfastcning said cap to said cover.

5. The container according to claim 3, wherein said securing means comprises a plurality of threads adjacent the mouth of said container and a plurality of threads on said cover such that said cover is secured to said container in screw-like fashion. 

1. A plastic container comprising: a mouth, an annular groove on the top of said mouth, the depth of said groove being at least as large as its width and having tapering side walls, a cover having a circular ring protruding therefrom, said ring having tapered sides so that the ring fits snugly within substantially the entire depth of the groove to form a seal between said cover and said container.
 2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the walls of said groove have different heights.
 3. The container according to claim 1, further comprising means for removably securing said cover to said container.
 4. The container according to claim 3, wherein said cover is in the form of an insert which fits into said mouth in cork-like fashion and said means for removably securing said cover comprises a cap adapted to fit over said cover, said cap and said container having cooperating screw threads for securely fastening said cap to said cover.
 5. The container according to claim 3, wherein said securing means comprises a plurality of threads adjacent the mouth of said container and a plurality of threads on said cover such that said cover is secured to said container in screw-like fashion. 